Champions Trophy 2025
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has reaffirmed that the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will indeed take place in Pakistan, despite the refusal from India to send its team for the tournament.
In a statement made on Monday at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, Naqvi expressed confidence that the event would be successfully held in Pakistan, despite the ongoing challenges. He emphasized, “We will achieve our target and, God willing, safely hold the Champions Trophy in Pakistan.”
Pakistan, the defending champions of the Champions Trophy after winning the last edition in 2017 in England, is set to host the prestigious tournament from February 19 to March 9, 2025.
The tournament, which features eight teams, is slated to be held at three venues across Pakistan: Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Lahore.
The relationship between Pakistan and India has been strained for years due to political tensions, which have affected bilateral cricket series between the two nations.
India has not toured Pakistan since 2008, and since then, matches between the two sides have only been played in multi-team events or neutral venues.
In fact, during the Asia Cup in 2023, India played all its matches in Sri Lanka under a “hybrid model” after refusing to play in Pakistan. This decision continues to affect the possibility of India’s participation in the upcoming Champions Trophy.
Last week, the International Cricket Council (ICC) informed PCB that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had formally communicated its decision not to send its team to Pakistan for the 2025 event.
This has added a layer of complexity to the preparations for the tournament. With the ICC expected to announce the full schedule of the Champions Trophy by November 20, time is running short for resolving the situation.
In response to India’s refusal to adopt the hybrid model for the event, Naqvi confirmed that the PCB had written a letter to the ICC, awaiting a response. He remarked, “We only have interaction with the ICC and are awaiting its response.” Naqvi also emphasized that all other teams that have qualified for the tournament have no issues with traveling to Pakistan.
Naqvi was firm in his stance, suggesting that if India had any concerns regarding security or other issues, they should engage in direct discussions with Pakistan. “I think there’s no reason for them not to come to Pakistan,” Naqvi said. He added that the PCB would continue to maintain its position and would not waver in its efforts to bring the Champions Trophy to Pakistan.
The PCB chairman also pointed out that the ICC must uphold its credibility as a governing body for all cricket nations. “The ICC is a body of all cricket bodies,” Naqvi stated, urging the council to consider the broader implications of its actions.He reiterated that Pakistan remains committed to hosting the event and ensuring that it is a success, regardless of the challenges it faces.
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